Off We Go: John Delaney Opens First Iowa Caucus Office

The campaign for Democratic candidate John Delaney opened their first official Iowa Caucus offices today, including one in Des Moines on Ingersoll Avenue.

If Delaney wanted you to take one thing away from this latest event in Iowa, it’s that he’s got a plan.

He has a policy proposal and a pitch for everything curious Iowans threw at him.

Questions from many of the 50 people in attendance represented nearly the full gambit of issues for Democratic voters: gun control, the separation of church and state, climate change, immigration reform, healthcare, Citizens United and gerrymandering.

In an interview with Starting Line, Delaney offered a particular point of emphasis for his visit to Des Moines – the revitalization of inner cities and rural America.

“One of the things people really care about in Iowa, is how to get people to invest in communities that have been left behind,” Delaney said. “There’s so many parents who feel like their kids can’t have jobs in these communities … So, I’ve got a real plan to turn these places around, unlike the president who basically sold a bill of goods, said he was going to help these places, and hasn’t done anything to make a difference.”

“The best way to hold [Trump] accountable is to crush him in 2020,” Delaney said in his speech to attendees. “We need a candidate to tell a better story … that has real solutions.”

Delaney also sought to differentiate himself from President Donald Trump.

“Listen, I’m very different than the occupant in the White House. And I’m not just talking about the hair … I read books, I have a plan, a specific plan for the future, I’ve got big ideas,” Delaney said. “But most importantly, I promise I will never lie to you. I will be honest and tell you everything I believe.”

He reiterated that in order for Democrats to win in 2020, they need to have a plan and to “tell a better story.”

“Our campaign is specifically a campaign for the future,” Delaney said.

He also cited the U.S. military’s concern about the effects of climate change and his bipartisan work in Congress to create a carbon tax bill.

Delaney’s campaign boasts of being the first Democrat running for President to pull a Grassley and campaign in all 99 counties since the 2008 race.

Former Iowa Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge was in attendance, who says she met Delaney initially over a year ago, and wanted to hear his answers on rural issues like infrastructure and and an increase in jobs.

“I thought he had good, strong answers today,” Judge said. “We need to have someone who has a vision of helping the rural, sparsely populated areas of this state.”

Most of the people Starting Line spoke with following the congressman’s speech remain undecided, citing the time between now and when the caucus actually happens.

But, Delaney continues to plant seeds in voters’ minds for his candidacy, and the need for the eventual Democratic nominee to have a winning plan.

by Jake Bullington
Posted 1/12/19